February 22, 2023
by Pastor Joel
I mean it. If it's not necessary let's cancel all of our services, board up the windows, lock the doors, and send everyone on their merry way. Sure, Christians have been gathering together to hear the Word read and preached, to sing with grace in their hearts, and observe the sacraments for over two thousand years. But if it's not necessary let's be the first generation to...
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February 22, 2023
by Pastor Joel
I'm thankful to be Presbyterian. Chiefly we have a rich theological history that proudly proclaims the truth of Scriptures and week by week proclaims the Gospel fully and freely. I am thankful for the connectionalism and collected wisdom that comes from having many at different levels of church government. This makes the deliberations at times painfully inefficient but it ...
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February 22, 2023
by Pastor Joel
Recently one of my pastor friends came for a visit, and the church where he pastors is beginning a capital campaign in order to build a church building on newly......
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February 22, 2023
by Pastor Joel
|
Category:
Coronavirus
| Tags: church updates, coronavirus, COVID-19
After conferring with the elders, the pastoral staff has made the decision to cancel all activities for the time being EXCEPT for Sunday morning worship (11:00 AM).This will be the practice until otherwise notified.
We believe this takes serious the consideration of our governing officials to limit exposure, but still maintains our priority of "not forsaking our assemblin...
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February 22, 2023
by Pastor Joel
|
Category:
Coronavirus
| Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, church update
The last several days have brought unprecedented change to us personally and as a nation. It seems that each day brings a new wrinkle to the freedom and lifestyle that we are accustomed to living. But I trust that all your daily physical and spiritual needs are being met and that you continue to look to the Lord to find strength in this time of change.
The pastors, sessio...
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February 22, 2023
by Pastor Joel
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Category:
Church Practices
| Tags: Lord's Supper, Communion
The leadership of SPC has recently decided to revise our communion practice. Starting Sunday, September 5, wine will be included as an element of our celebration of the Lord's Supper. This change accords with the biblical/theological meaning of the Supper as well as adheres to the historical practice of the Church. And we hope this video by Pastor Joel will thoro...
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August 1, 2022
by Pastor Joel
|
Category:
Sunday School
| Tags: worldview, Christian, Christian living
If you were to go out on the street and ask people about some hot-topic issue in society right now you would have no trouble eliciting opinions. People readily give their opinions about any number of topics under the sun. But if you were to ask a follow-up question of how they came to that opinion, I imagine most if not all would have a very difficult time explaining their...
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March 15, 2021
by Pastor Joel
| Tags: Joy, trials, tribulations, rejoice
On Sunday morning in Hebrews 11, we recently learned about the severe test that the Lord sent to Abraham by asking him to offer his son Isaac. The testing of faith is a......
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December 10, 2020
by Pastor Joel
As you read this article hopefully you are well into the Christmas Season with decorations, presents, and songs. This truly is a wonderful time......
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December 17, 2019
by Pastor Joel
Once again it is that time of year! Hard to believe that another year has passed, and we are once again celebrating the Christmas season.......
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January 30, 2019
by Pastor Joel
| Tags: Purpose
The last few months in these monthly articles we have been looking at the new purpose statement that we hope will define what we are trying to achieve as a church. The statement reads as following:...
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January 4, 2019
by Pastor Joel
| Tags: Purpose
As we turn the calendar from November to December, that wonderful time of year is upon us. As we decorate our homes, play Christmas music, and wrap gifts. What a wonderful......
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January 4, 2019
by Pastor Joel
| Tags: Purpose
As mentioned last month, we as a leadership have crafted a new purpose statement that we hope will define what we are trying to achieve as a church......
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February 6, 2018
by Pastor Joel
As we begin December, it is hard to believe that Christmas is...
...
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February 6, 2018
by Pastor Joel
Perhaps you have heard that there is a certain vocation called “Life Coach......
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November 9, 2017
by Pastor Joel
Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it”. This famous statement is......
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November 9, 2017
by Pastor Joel
Thanksgiving with all of its festivities, fancy food and fanfare should be more than a day of the year....
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August 7, 2017
by Pastor Joel
The children that we have been given are no mistake; God has intentionally given them to us. ...
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August 7, 2017
by Pastor Joel
Perhaps you too have wondered what it means that Christ “descended into hell.” There is no Scripture that speaks of a literal descent into hell, so what are we to make of this?...
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February 14, 2017
by Pastor Joel
| Tags: Love
The stores are filled with hearts, candy, and teddy bears in anticipation of Valentine’s Day on February 14th. A day in which we are to demonstrate love to our significant others - and I’m all for it! Sure we should show love every day but......
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January 3, 2017
by Pastor Joel
As the New Year begins this month many take the opportunity to “reset the clock” on some new habits or purpose for the New Year. Not sure if you......
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December 8, 2016
by Pastor Joel
| Tags: Blessings, Christmas, Advent
As you read this article hopefully you are well into the Christmas Season with......
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November 1, 2016
by Pastor Joel
Today as I write this on Oct. 27th it is the 102 year anniversary of the founding of our Presbyterian Church in Smyrna, GA. Last week Sunday we......
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August 30, 2016
by Pastor Joel
On Sunday nights for the evening worship I have been preaching a series of sermons on the Church - what is the church? What is its purpose? What are we supposed to be......
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August 23, 2016
by Pastor Joel
If you do not have school age children then you will be surprised to see school buses out on the road beginning......
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July 21, 2016
by Pastor Joel
I’m thankful to be Presbyterian. Chiefly we have a rich theological history that proudly proclaims the truth of Scriptures and each week I......
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June 7, 2016
by Pastor Joel
The relationship between a pastor and a congregation is a God-ordained relationship. The Apostle Paul sent Timothy to......
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May 2, 2016
by Pastor Joel
| Tags: Pastor, call to ministry, installation, congregation
This last month I had the privilege of being installed as the Pastor here at Smyrna Presbyterian Church. The installation service was a joyous one for me...
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March 31, 2016
by Pastor Joel
| Tags: article, blog, spring, faithfulness, mercy, renewal
Springtime is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Everything is fresh, new, and in bloom. ...
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February 26, 2016
by Pastor Joel
A few of the attributes of God that are vitally important and that we confess every week is His timelessness, eternity, and immutability. ...
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